Bioactivity Guided Discovery, Phytochemical Characterization and Mechanistic Validation of plant derived Bioactive Compounds for Anticonvulsant and Neuroprotective Activity

Abstract

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder associated with recurrent seizures, neuronal hyperexcitability, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Despite the availability of antiseizure medications, limitations in efficacy and adverse effects highlight the need for alternative therapeutic candidates. Medicinal plants are potential sources of bioactive compounds with anticonvulsant and neuroprotective properties. This proposed study aims to investigate standardized plant-derived extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds using phytochemical screening, chromatographic profiling, and bioactivity-guided fractionation. Anticonvulsant activity will be evaluated using maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) models, subject to ethical approval. Neuroprotective potential will be investigated through appropriate neuronal injury models, biochemical markers, and histopathological assessment. Molecular docking may help identify potential targets, with experimental validation where feasible. The study is expected to provide a scientific basis for identifying plant-derived compounds for further preclinical investigation in seizure control and neuronal protection.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Anticonvulsant Activity; Neuroprotection; Medicinal Plants; Phytochemicals; Bioactivity-Guided Fractionation; Oxidative Stress; Neuroinflammation; GABAergic and Glutamatergic Pathways; Molecular Docking.